From Listening to Critical Thinking, From Credits to Growth: Feng Chia University’s “Grand Forum on Humanities and Technology” Fosters Interdisciplinary Thinking and Self-Directed Learning through Lectures

In an era where university education increasingly values interdisciplinary and self-directed learning, Feng Chia University has launched an innovative course design, “Grand Forum on Humanities and Technology.” Through the design of “Ten Lectures for Unlimited Thinking + 2 General Education Credits,” students can not only earn credits by attending lectures but also draw inspiration from the personal experiences of experts from various fields, broadening their horizons and deepening their thinking.

The course adopts a self-directed participation model, allowing students to freely choose sessions based on their interests and schedules. As long as students complete 10 lectures and learning records during their studies, they can earn 2 general education credits. Feng Chia University hopes that with a more open learning system, students can balance credits, critical thinking, and personal growth on their journey of knowledge exploration.

Each semester, the “Grand Forum on Humanities and Technology” invites 4 to 6 heavyweight speakers from business, academia, and the cultural sector to share industry insights and personal practical experiences. The course is divided into two parts: keynote speeches and post-lecture discussions and reflections. It emphasizes not only knowledge acquisition but also the exchange of ideas, with co-instructors leading students in extended discussions after the lectures.

Feng Chia University pointed out that the original intention of designing this course is to encourage students to “attend lectures with questions and engage in exchanges with reflection,” finding new inspiration and direction through interdisciplinary dialogue. This semester’s lecture lineup is diverse, ranging from cultural aesthetics to technological innovation, and features representative industry leaders and scholars:

• 10/16 (Thu)｜President of Franz Collection, Francis Chen From European museums to the Vatican, he has brought Taiwanese porcelain to the international stage, redefining “the power of branding in art.”
• 10/31 (Fri)｜General Manager of C SUN Industrial, Yu-Wen Liang A key partner in TSMC’s CoWoS packaging technology, sharing behind-the-scenes stories of Taiwan’s precision manufacturing.
• 11/6 (Thu)｜Chief Scientist of the Institute for AI Industry Research, Tsinghua University (Beijing), Wei-Ying Ma The leader behind TikTok’s globally popular AI effects, sharing how AI is changing the future of video creation.

The “Grand Forum on Humanities and Technology” is not only an innovation in the credit system but also an embodiment of Feng Chia University’s commitment to interdisciplinary, self-directed, and holistic education. Through post-lecture discussions and reflections, students can exchange perspectives with peers from different departments, sparking diverse thinking. “We hope students can engage in dialogue with the world and with themselves through these ten lectures,” Feng Chia University stated. This learning design is not just about earning credits, but also about encouraging students to actively explore and take control of their learning pace and direction.

Feng Chia University has launched the new course “Grand Forum on Humanities and Technology,” allowing students to accumulate 10 lectures across semesters/academic years to earn 2 general education credits.